England’s nightmare route to World Cup final

Sounds like squeaky bum time

While the draw wasn’t a terrible result in itself, Thomas Tuchel’s side may now have a much trickier knockout stage ahead.

The Three Lions still have high chances to reach the next round, even if after two games they have snatched four points out of a possible six.

In Boston, England fans weren’t exactly loved and the result wasn’t perfect either.

But now, all that is forgotten and all eyes are on the next opponent: Panama, who have managed to get 0 points and haven’t scored a single goal in their first two clashes.

How England’s route will look if they finish second

Not finishing top in Group L is very much a possibility for England, and this would produce a completely different path.

So what happens if The Three Lions finish second, you may wonder?

In the round of 32, they would play at midnight in Toronto, Canada, on July 3 (Friday).

And as 2018 opponents Colombia currently hold the spot of runners-up in Group K, it’s the team which England would take on.

In that group, however, the team that could still finish second is Portugal, who by some are seen as one of the tournament’s favourites.

That said, the biggest potential problem is that Tuchel’s side would more than likely face the 2024 Euro winners in a rematch, in the round of 16.

This is provided that Spain top Group H, of course.

World Cup co-hosts United States are a possible opponent for England in the quarter-final, that is if England beat Spain.

Meanwhile, the team that could be waiting in the semi-finals is France, the finalists of the last World Cup in Qatar.

And since this route sees them at the opposite end of the bracket, The Three Lions would avoid reigning champions Argentina, who are off to a flying start with Leo Messi scoring five goals in only two games.

If England finish top of the group, here is what happens

If England beat Panama and top the group, which is what many will be expecting, they are in line to take on DR Congo, one of the best third placed teams in the round of 32.

This clash would take place in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 1 (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, the potential round of 16 opponents are World Cup co-hosts Mexico.

This would happen in Mexico City, and is the type of game England would like to avoid, especially considering the opponent’s advantage in their home ground.

In the quarter finals, meanwhile, possible opponents are Brazil and Norway. Reigning champions Argentina are the most likely semi-final opponents if we look at the bracket even further.

In this scenario, while standing on the opposite side of the bracket, England wouldn’t have to face tournament favourites such as France, Germany and Spain until the big final on 19 July.